Calamity Kate's Great World Roundup
by

Thomas

A story about Travel
for your 1st Grader.

Calamity Kate and Blinky Sparx step into the busy market. Rows of stalls show fruit, toys, and shiny trinkets from many places. Kate tips her hat. Blinky Sparx's eyes glow bright. They are ready to explore new wonders.

Kate stops by a stall selling warm bread from a faraway land. Blinky Sparx looks closely and notices something is missing. The baker says their sweet bread is lost!

The baker explains the bread is shaped like a little boat with a swirl of cinnamon. Kate and Blinky search under the table but cannot find it. They promise to keep looking.

Blinky suggests following any crumbs. Kate picks up a crumb on the ground and spots a tiny trail. The trail leads away from the bread stall toward the next stall.

They find a stall filled with bright woven blankets from Mexico. The seller smiles and says, “Hola!” A special blue cloth is missing. Kate and Blinky offer to help.

These woven blankets have tiny mirrors that shine in the sun. Kate taps her boot, thinking hard. Blinky hums a puzzle tune as they look all around the stall for clues.

Calamity Kate remembers a tip: when you lose something, ask people around you for help. She and Blinky speak to a toy seller next. This stall is packed with wooden cars and tiny dolls.

Blinky suggests checking each corner of the stall. They see little footprints leading away. The prints look like they belong to a curious child walking around the market.